Springport Motor Speedway is getting a fast start on the 2012 short-track racing season with a new promoter and management team.

Jeff & Pam Parish of West Branch head a 10-person group that has secured a purchase lease from track owner Jim Leasure and have taken over promoter duties. The Parishes operated Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run during the 2011 season.

During the past decade, Jeff Parish has operated Whittemore Speedway and Owosso Speedway.

The Parish group is the latest to try to make a go of things in Springport.  It's the fourth leadership operation for the track since it reopenen in 2003 after sitting dormant for two seasons.

"The thing that fans can feel comfortable in knowing is that we're not rookie promoters," Jeff Parish said. "We've been in business successfully for several years now."

"The things that fans can feel comfortable in knowing is that we're not rookie promoters..."
-- Jeff Parish on taking over Springport Motor Speedway"This is not a short-term deal.  We have a long-term vision for Springport, and we are going to be here a long time."

The late Paul Zimmerman purchased the facility in 2003 and operated the track as Calhoun County Speedway in 2003-04 and as Springport Motor Speedway from 2005-08. Jerry Rabbers leased and operated the track under the name of Mid-Michigan Speedway in 2009, and Steve Martin has held the lease on the track for the past two seasons and operated it under the name of Springport Motor Speedway.

Parish, who plans to live at the track during the racing season, said he sees Springport as a jewel among short tracks, not only in Mid-Michigan but on a regional level as well.

"I think it is one of the most beautiful, modern facilities in the state," he said. "Amenities wise, it's an incredible track."

Article Scan from Jackson Citizen Patriot on October 9th, 2011Parish said there are no major rule changes or classification changes in the works for the coming season.  Improving the fan experience and attracting a major traveling series or two are the orders of business this offseason.

Parish expects the track to open for racing in early May.

"The thing I'm excited to do as a promoter is get people out there to see it for the first time and keep building on the momentum they got started this past summer in terms of attendance and car counts," Parish said. "We'll have many, many, many boots on the ground trying to make that happen."

"We're going to target families who are searching for localized enterainment and parents wh oare searching for ways to relate to their kids with an activity that they can all go home and talk about."